The case was heard at a court in San Diego. Photo: Getty Images
Christchurch man Matthew Isaac Wolfe has been sentenced to 14 years' jail in the United States, after he helped a friend deceive and coerce young women to appear in porn videos.
Wolfe's co-defendant and fellow New Zealander, Michael Pratt, who owned the website GirlsDoPorn, made his first appearance after being extradited from Spain, following more than three years as an international fugitive.
According to a statement by the US Attorney's Office in the Southern District of California, Wolfe recruited victims, many of them college students at the time, using internet advertisements for clothed modelling jobs.
Even after the victims learned the job involved an adult video shoot, Wolfe admitted to persuading women to appear in the videos, telling them that the videos would never be posted online.
He also told them that the videos would never be released in the US, and that no one who knew the women would ever find out about the videos - something he knew to be untrue.
Wolfe told another co-defendant Theodore Gyi, the cameraman on hundreds of GirlsDoPorn video shoots, that if asked, he should also lie to the women.
Most of the video shoots took place at local hotels and short-term rental units in San Diego.
Some of the women were allegedly forced to perform certain sex acts, which they had earlier declined to do.
After the victims returned home, still believing that they would remain anonymous, clips of the videos were posted on heavily trafficked adult film sites, like Pornhub, with full-versions offered on Pratt's website.
Subscription fees to the site generated Pratt more than $US17 million ($NZ28m) in revenue.
One of the victims said her pornographic video received more than 300m views on Pornhub.
Wolfe pleaded guilty in July 2022 to conspiracy to commit sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion, admitting he moved to the US from New Zealand in 2011, to work for Pratt and had a wide range of roles.
He filmed about 100 videos, uploaded finished videos onto the internet, oversaw the company's financial books and operated various business entities used to promote the business.
Wolfe also admitted he was aware that personal identifying information and social media accounts for some women were being posted on a site controlled by Pratt.
FBI San Diego special agent in charge Stacey Moy said Wolfe's willingness to use deception, coercion and intimidation to exploit young women painted a sordid picture of the lengths some people would go to just to make money.
"Wolfe's sentencing today, and any past or future sentencings related to this case, are small slivers of justice for the victims, but ultimately don't fully heal the deep pain spawned by Mr Wolfe and the other defendants."
Survivors tell their stories
During hearings on Wednesday and in January, about 30 survivors described how the actions of Wolfe and his co-defendants destroyed their lives.
The women spoke of struggling with substance and alcohol abuse, anxiety and depression, suicidal thoughts and attempts, and post-traumatic stress syndrome.
One woman said her entire life was wrecked.
"Everything I had built was gone, and so too was my future. Doors that were once opened were slammed in my face. Matthew Wolfe stole my life, and it wasn't just my life, he stole hundreds of lives.
"What kind of price do you put on a life? Mr Wolfe deserves a jail sentence that accounts for each and every life he has stolen."
Another woman said she was robbed of her privacy, dignity and peace of mind.
"But worst of all, I was robbed of my identity. I was once viewed as a beautiful, fun-loving and strong woman who was known for her athleticism and ability to make just about anyone laugh.
"I was a caring friend and a daughter my parents were proud of. Mr Wolfe shattered who I was…Today I'm taking my identity back. I am not a victim. I'm a survivor."
A restitution hearing is scheduled for 7 May.
